Chapter 87: I Treat You Like a Brother
The scene was eerily silent. Zhao Jie looked at the Princess Consort with a grave expression, then glanced at Xia Feng. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself at a loss for words. He felt a sense of absurdity at that moment. The Earl was dead, and the Princess Consort had just sworn allegiance to this young man. What did that make him, Zhao Jie? Should he seek a new master? As quick as a flash, he heard the sound of something breaking through the air. He turned to see the God’s Calamity Society’s Death Hand and One String disappearing into the depths of the forest. “Damn it!” Zhao Jie reacted abruptly and quickly followed. Seek a new master? He was already a Fourth-stage fighter. With the Earl dead, the contract was void! If he didn’t run now, when would he? Zhao Jie also vanished in a flash, leaving his subordinates staring at each other, their faces turning grim. “Run!” However, without their two Fourth-stage combatants, they couldn’t escape the Holy Department’s encirclement and soon surrendered. Over the next few hours, the Military Department took control of Pingshan Hospital, discovering many severely tortured experimental subjects in the underground prison, as well as Uncle Wei, whose legs had been severed and who was in a coma. By early the next morning, the administrative head of District 51 received a secret telegram from the commander of the Imperial Holy Department and the Central Court Council. All forces under the Hydrangea Family, including but not limited to the Six-Tails Sect, were confiscated and disbanded. Seventy-nine direct relatives were thoroughly investigated, a large amount of assets were frozen, twenty-three were executed secretly, nineteen were exiled to the Southern Border, and the remaining thirty-seven were escorted to Central District 1 for secret review. The matter of the Hydrangea Family colluding with alien races and cults to betray the Empire’s interests came to a close, without implicating any further noble factions. “Princess Consort, we have arrived at Hydrangea Manor,” the middle-aged butler, clad in an elegant tailcoat, opened the car door and gestured respectfully. The classical European-style manor stood amidst lush greenery. The lime-plastered walls were covered with dimly lit purple hydrangeas, extending to the tall gateposts carved with peculiar patterns. Xia Feng stepped out of the car and looked up at the ancient and mysterious manor, feeling somewhat dazed. The last time he had rushed here was to find Mu Qingtong to synchronize their strength. He hadn’t expected that in just a month, he would be here to take over the manor. With a click-clack, high heels echoed on the ground. Yue Hongli, wearing a luxurious Phoenix gown and a red veil hat perched on her dark hair, tucked her left arm into Xia Feng’s and they slowly walked into the manor. They passed through the hallway, entered the grand, gilded double doors, and arrived in the resplendent, gold-inlaid hall. Twenty maids of varying appearances stood in two neat rows and bowed in unison, saying crisply and respectfully, “Welcome, Princess Consort.” After a pause, the head maid glanced at Xia Feng beside her and gave a subtle eye signal to the other maids. “Mr. Xia, welcome home,” they bowed again. After the Earl’s death, although the Hydrangea Family was being purged and its assets confiscated, the manor and its servants remained unharmed, inheriting to the Princess Consort. In addition, there was a large number of properties that had not been confiscated. For example, a total of nine legal properties (manors, villas, etc.) in Area 50, District 41, District 23, and District 2 were inherited by the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort was now a true embodiment of a wealthy widow. Although the Hydrangea Family was now a mere name, her title as a widow was quite renowned in District 51. After all, the explosive news of the Earl’s treason had already spread all over the internet, and she, a beautiful married woman, naturally attracted special attention. It was well known that behind every successful widow was a mysterious man. Although the Holy Department had sealed the details and truth of the incident, it could not stop the rampant rumors online. It was said that shortly after the Earl’s death, the Princess Consort had gotten involved with an eighteen-year-old student, which was highly enviable… and disgraceful! After last night’s events, the Holy Department conducted a brief interrogation of Xia Feng and the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort demonstrated her peculiar ability to phase through walls and be untouchable by anyone. The Xuanwu Bureau Chief personally extended an invitation to Xia Feng to join the Holy Department. Xia Feng readily agreed. Afterward, the Holy Department did not press further on the Princess Consort’s other abilities. The Xuanwu Bureau Chief kindly asked him which position he would like to serve in the Holy Department. Xia Feng expressed his desire for a “normal” position that would allow him to receive a high salary without having to work or follow anyone’s orders. The Xuanwu Bureau Chief praised him for his free spirit, unique ideas, and unconventional thinking, stating that he would undoubtedly become an excellent Imperial Spirit Master after graduation. He then readily agreed to Xia Feng’s “reasonable” request. Thus, Xia Feng, a freshman, now had a stable position. *Tap-tap-tap!* The sound of slippers frantically pounding down the stairs was heard, accompanied by Mushroom’s clear, joyful shout, “Xia Feng, you’re here!” Everyone looked up. The girl with light curly hair, wearing bear-patterned pajamas, ran down the stairs with soft thuds. However, as soon as she reached the railing on the second floor and looked down at the hall, the joy on her face abruptly froze, her pupils widening slightly. The Princess Consort’s fair, slender arm was naturally placed through Xia Feng’s, her body leaning close. The woman was graceful and charming, the man young and handsome – such a perfect match. The sight met the girl’s eyes. Slowly, her stiffening gaze lifted, and she glared fiercely at Xia Feng. “Hmph!” With a cold snort, she turned her head and quickly ran back upstairs, muttering through clenched teeth, “I treated you like a brother, but you wanted to be my father.” With a loud bang, the door slammed shut. Xia Feng’s expression remained unchanged as he turned and ordered, “You can all go about your business.” “Yes, sir.” The maids and the butler bowed. The Princess Consort continued to look upstairs, blinked, and then started to walk toward the stairs. “Where are you going?” “To find my daughter.” “You really consider Mushroom your daughter…” Xia Feng was somewhat speechless. He quickly stopped her, “Put aside your daughter’s matters for now and accompany me somewhere.” The Princess Consort tilted her head, “Hmm?” The Princess Consort’s abilities required her to store a large amount of Calamity Force beforehand. Therefore, Xia Feng planned to take her to the Evil Dragon Space to verify some ideas.
